Upper Ebro and Rudrón canyons (1667)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Hoces del Alto Ebro y Rudrón
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.7500, Longitude: -3.5833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 700 to 1260
Area of KBA (km2): 756.15033
Protected area coverage (%): 74.03
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area comprises the canyons of the Rivers Ebro and Rudrón with high limestone cliffs. The vegetation is diverse and includes deciduous forest, evergreen forest, and alluvial forest at the base of the cliffs and low open scrub elsewhere. The main human activities are livestock-farming, arable agriculture and hunting.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: This is an important site for cliff-nesting raptors, particularly Gyps fulvus and Hieraaetus fasciatus.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (50%) | forestry (10%) | hunting (60%) | not utilised (25%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 15 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 25 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Grassland | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Major threats include the establishment of wind-farms near a Gyps fulvus colony and increasing disturbance from tourism and related infrastructural developments. There are plans to construct a road and a viaduct.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Large dams | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Geological events | Avalanches/landslides | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |